This inflatable robot snake creeps through tiny spaces and could help with search and rescue missions

The department of Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University have developed a snake-like robot that is able to to squeeze through tight gaps which could prove to be invaluable in search and rescue scenarios.

By using a process known as ‘eversion’ the tube is able to unfurl itself from the inside using pressurised air. By gently pulling the tube in different directions, the operator is able to manipulate the robot’s shape making it easy to navigate past small obstacles.

“We can make it sneak through very small crevices in order to get access to places where people can’t go. And also we can deliver material through the centre of it whether it be a sensor or water, for example, to reach a disaster victim.”